LONG BEACH >> When Mayor Bob Foster takes the stage at the Long Beach Arena’s Pacific Ballroom Tuesday night for his final annual address, by almost any measure he’ll describe a city changed by his influence.

Foster, who took office in 2006, at times forcefully guided the city through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, strongly pushing for $134 million in budget cuts and eliminating 800 positions on the way to squeezing out a $3.5 million surplus this year.

He threatened to go to the ballot to reform public employee pensions, though unions eventually agreed to concessions that will save $130 million in the general fund and $230 million across all funds through 2024.

Even the State of the City speech itself has changed — from a Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce fundraiser to a free public event, at Foster’s insistence.

Since the State of the City went public, the chamber has partnered with Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe for his annual address. Last year’s event, in December, drew 1,000 business representatives, government leaders and community members at the $50-per-ticket event with sponsorships ranging from $995 to $2,595.

In an interview last week at the arena as workers transformed the space from Disney On Ice to a venue for today’s State of the City, Foster said he was never comfortable with charging admission to a speech required by the City Charter.

“I wanted this to be accessible to everybody,” said Foster, who also rejected what he called the “politicization” of the chamber in recent years.

The mayor was relaxed as he heads into the remaining six months of his term, talking comfortably about his administration and the future after having announced in July that he will not run again, in part due to a close friend’s terminal illness.

In his last State of the City, Foster said he will talk about the tension between the future and the present and the importance of sticking with the fiscal principles that have been set in recent years.

A good guide has been set for future city leaders, Foster claimed, with a positive budget, improved parks and a 41-year low in violent crime in 2013.

“It’s really hard to argue with the results,” Foster said, though he acknowledged his campaign pledge to add 100 police officers fell flat due to the economy.

However, Foster, the former president of Southern California Edison, was willing to talk about some controversial aspects of his two-terms, such as what some call his corporate style of forcefully leading discussions on important issues from the mayor’s chair. Long Beach’s council-manager form of government gives the mayor a veto, but no vote.

Pointing to stripes on a sleeve to lead will only go so far, Foster said. “You get what I call ‘malicious compliance.’ People will do exactly what you say and no more.”

Come July, there will be at least five new members on the nine-member City Council — and possibly six if Councilman Patrick O’Donnell or Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal win the 70th Assembly District seat — with many of Foster’s allies leaving the body.

He said it’s a concern, but expressed confidence that the city will continue on a positive path.

“The truth is,” said Foster, “if you’ve done the job right and if you’ve put the right principles in place and people continue to follow them, it shouldn’t matter there’s a replacement official.”

The port, as Foster described it, had become so distant that it appeared to be separate from the city instead of what it is, the Harbor Department.

“I think that needs to be corrected, and I think that’s my responsibility,” Foster said.

With the end of his stay in office in sight, Long Beach’s 27th mayor promised to be an active citizen.

“I’ll be engaged, and if people want help, I’ll be happy to help,” said Foster. “I may downsize my house, but I’m not going to leave the city.”

Contact Eric Bradley at 562-499-1254.

About the Author

Eric Bradley covers Long Beach City Hall and politics. He joined the Press-Telegram in August 2011 and previously reported for the Daily Breeze and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reach the author at eric.bradley@langnews.com
or follow Eric on Twitter: EricBradleyPT.